To ask if my joke to new work colleague would have offended you?

I wouldn't have been offended, but if someone had said that to me in a new workplace I would have felt immensely awkward. It's just not funny.

I also don't understand why people feel the need to comment on what people are eating? Especially to someone who's new.

You scrutinised and commented on her lunch in front of everyone and followed up by suggesting to everyone about farts that needed air freshener. Yes that is offensive to a new colleague it comes across as you trying to put her down in front of the team.

If I were her, I'd be worried that this was a sign I could expect more of your "banter" in the future which you would brush off as just jokes, watching what I do and pointing it out unfavourably to the rest of the team, and probably following up with asking why I couldn't take a joke. It's as old as time and it's not a great introduction to a new job.

You need to stop the so called jokes. Or at least think twice and think again before you open your mouth.

I would have found it funny, but maybe you should have got to know your new colleague a bit better first to judge if they like that sort of humour.

I have a very unsophisticated sense of humour and personally think those who don’t laugh at fart and poo jokes are just a bit stuffy. But each to their own I suppose…

Why would she laugh? You embarrassed her.

You made her the butt of the joke by implying her lunch stank, or her house did because she farts a lot, so she's hardly going to be amused (the fact that the "joke" was painfully unfunny notwithstanding).

Jokes are funnier when you don't pick on people.

The thing about jokes is that you have to build a relationship up with people first to find out who can take one (a joke) and who can’t.

I wouldn’t have been offended and probably would have a comeback for you. Banter isn’t everyone’s cup of tea and you have to read the room. I’ve come to learn who you can and can’t have a joke with now 🤣

Really surprised at the comments, I would have just laughed if off. We say much worse in our team and nobody takes offence.

Just goes to show though some people are very stiff and you have to gauge conversation with new colleagues.

Crass and uncouth.

Rudeness on your part.

So juvenile. But I bet you still can't see it ..instead you think more than 90% of peope who said you are being unreasonable are boring, no fun, can't take a joke. It's you who needs to grow up. Fine if you're amongst other juvenile peope...but when you get an actual adult respond in an adult way, you can't blame them for your crass humour!

Or some of us don’t associate eggs with farting.

Eggs don’t have that effect on me, never have and don’t know anyone who does either.

If I was your new colleague I'd have smiled sweetly , tidied my lunch away and closed the conversation with a polite "there we are then' and left you to your little digs.

I think it’s a good job none of us work with you as no one clearly finds it funny/appropriate. You’ve just embarrassed yourself in front of a new colleague. Like someone else said we aren’t 12 year old boys so not sure where the humour is!

It’s a shit joke, there’s no such thing as banter in the workplace and they are probably embarrassed for you

I would have laughed and found it funny. So I would say she probably doesn't have a good sense of humour, or just a bit tense on her first day.

Oh dear -how embarrassing for you 🤦🏻‍♀️. You sound like a David Brent type of person

Boiled eggs don't have that effect on me so I wouldn't have known what OP was talking about.

Probably just written her off as a bit of an unfunny loon and not thought any more of it.

Can’t believe some of the other replies……yes it’s a bad joke, but come on!
I’d have responded, with a snigger, “it’s not usually that bad, but it’s the silent- but-deadly ones you have to look out for”
I’m pretty sure it would have cracked the ice a bit with a new employee, even if they didn’t really find it funny………some people are unbelievably anal…pun intended

I wouldn’t be offended but I’d inwardly cringe at your ‘sense of humour’.

What does your HR department think about your jokey culture on your team ?

How old are you?

Think SDTG posted on the wrong thread. It happens now and then.

Is this another 'joke' that I don't get?

I read this as she might be having the eggs daily “usually weekday lunch” - some people may fart more if they do that!
I would have laughed.

Tbh no it wouldn't offend me, but being ND I would not have understood the 'joke' and stared blankly trying to think of a reply then sighed a breath of relief when you walked off lol. However my ex, also ND, would definitely have said this 'joke' and then been offended if no one understood it so maybe we're just two sides of the same coin.